What Happened to Chittaphon Leechaiyapornkul (Ten)?
Ten, a prominent Thai singer, dancer, and rapper, gained fame as a member of the K-pop boy group NCT and its sub-units NCT U and WayV, as well as the supergroup SuperM. He launched a successful solo career in 2024 with his mini-album 'TEN,' followed by further solo releases and tours in 2025. As of April 6, 2026, Ten has concluded his exclusive contract with SM Entertainment but will continue his activities with NCT and WayV.
Quick Answer
Ten, a versatile artist known for his work with NCT, WayV, and SuperM, officially debuted as a solo artist in February 2024 with his mini-album 'TEN' and embarked on his first solo fan-con tour. He continued his solo endeavors in 2025 with a second mini-album, 'Stunner,' and a Japanese solo debut EP, 'Humanity,' accompanied by extensive concert tours. Most recently, on April 6, 2026, Ten announced his departure from SM Entertainment, effective April 8, but confirmed he would remain active with NCT and WayV while exploring new artistic paths.
📊Key Facts
📅Complete Timeline14 events
Wins 'Teen Superstar' in Thailand
Chittaphon Leechaiyapornkul, under the stage name TNT, won the Thai talent show 'Teen Superstar'.
Introduced as SMROOKIES Member
Ten was officially introduced as a member of SM Entertainment's pre-debut trainee team, SMROOKIES.
Debuts with NCT U
Ten officially debuted as a member of NCT's first sub-unit, NCT U, with the single 'The 7th Sense'.
Releases First Solo Single 'Dream In A Dream'
Ten released his first solo single, 'Dream In A Dream,' as part of SM Station Season 2, featuring Lucas in the music video.
Debuts with WayV
Ten debuted as a member of WayV, NCT's China-based sub-unit, with their digital EP 'The Vision.'
Debuts with SuperM
Ten joined the supergroup SuperM, which released its self-titled debut mini-album.
Official Solo Debut with Mini-Album 'TEN'
Ten released his first official solo mini-album, 'TEN,' featuring the title track 'Nightwalker,' marking his solo debut in South Korea.
Commences First Solo Fan-Con Tour '1001'
Ten began his first solo fan-con tour, '2024 Ten First Fan-Con [1001],' starting in Seoul and continuing across Asia.
Releases Second Mini-Album 'Stunner'
Ten released his second mini-album, 'Stunner,' with the music video for 'Bambola' pre-released on March 17.
Holds First Solo Concert '1001 MOVEMENT 'STUNNER''
Ten held his first solo concert, '2025 TEN CONCERT 1001 MOVEMENT 'STUNNER',' with initial shows in Seoul and Bangkok.
Japanese Solo Debut with EP 'Humanity'
Ten made his solo debut in Japan with the release of his first Japanese EP, 'Humanity,' featuring the lead track 'Silence.'
Begins Japan Solo Tour 'TIME WARP'
Ten commenced his first solo tour in Japan, '2025 TEN JAPAN TOUR 1001 'TIME WARP',' with performances in cities like Osaka, Fukuoka, Tokyo, and Nagoya.
Slated for Kpop Masterz Special Live Concert
Ten is scheduled to perform at the 2026 Kpop Masterz Special Live Concert in Bangkok.
Announces Departure from SM Entertainment
SM Entertainment announced that Ten's exclusive contract would conclude on April 8, 2026. Ten confirmed he would continue activities with NCT and WayV.
🔍Deep Dive Analysis
Chittaphon Leechaiyapornkul, globally recognized as Ten, has carved a significant niche in the K-pop industry since his debut. Born in Bangkok, Thailand, Ten's journey into entertainment began early, winning 'Teen Superstar' in 2011 and subsequently joining SM Entertainment in 2013 through a global audition. He was introduced as part of the pre-debut trainee team SMROOKIES in December 2013.
His official debut came in April 2016 as a member of NCT's first sub-unit, NCT U, with the single 'The 7th Sense,' quickly establishing himself as a powerful dancer and performer. Over the years, Ten expanded his group activities, debuting with the China-based unit WayV in January 2019 and joining the supergroup SuperM in October 2019. Beyond group promotions, he also released several solo singles through SM Station, including 'Dream In A Dream' (2017) and 'New Heroes' (2018), showcasing his individual artistry.
A pivotal moment in Ten's career arrived in February 2024 with his official solo debut, releasing his self-titled mini-album 'TEN,' featuring the lead track 'Nightwalker.' This debut allowed him to present a diverse range of musical genres and a more personal artistic identity, distinct from his group performances. Following the album's release, he embarked on his first solo fan-con tour across Asia, titled '2024 Ten First Fan-Con [1001].'
Ten continued his robust solo activities into 2025. In March, he released his second mini-album, 'Stunner,' which included the pre-release track 'Bambola.' This was followed by his Japanese solo debut in May 2025 with the EP 'Humanity,' featuring the lead track 'Silence.' To support these releases, Ten undertook extensive touring, including the '2025 TEN CONCERT 1001 MOVEMENT 'STUNNER'' in Seoul and Bangkok in April 2025, and the '2025 TEN JAPAN TOUR 1001 'TIME WARP'' across various Japanese cities in May and June 2025.
The most significant recent development occurred on April 6, 2026, when SM Entertainment announced the conclusion of Ten's exclusive contract with the agency, effective April 8. Despite this departure, both SM Entertainment and Ten himself confirmed that he would continue to participate in NCT and WayV group activities. In a personal statement, Ten expressed gratitude for his decade-long journey with SM and his excitement to explore new challenges and possibilities as a solo artist in this new chapter. He is also slated to perform at the 2026 Kpop Masterz Special Live Concert in Bangkok.
What If...?
Explore alternate histories. What if Chittaphon Leechaiyapornkul (Ten) made different choices?